Grammostola anthracina (Tawny Red Tarantula)

Grammostola anthracina (Tawny Red Tarantula)

The Tawny Red, or Grammostola anthracina, is a terrestrial tarantula from Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. Spiderlings hatch out pink and black, then gradually shift into that deep, almost black coloration accented with red fringing along the underside of the legs as they grow, creating a beautiful high contrast coloration similar to its cousin, the Chilean Rose Hair. This species only grows to about 6 inches in diagonal leg span, with a slow growth rate that takes around 4 to 6 years to reach full size. Like others in the genus, this species has a very long lifespan, with females reaching about 20 to 30 years while males live 3 to 5 years. This species is also very calm and forgiving, and one we recommend for beginner keepers or anyone who wants an easier keeping experience, with a little extra rarity built in. Grab this docile new world tarantula for sale today, with every size we carry listed below.

Why do hobbyists keep Grammostola anthracina?

• Stunning Coloration: A deep, almost black body set off by red fringing under the legs for a bold, high-contrast look.
• Color Change: Slings start off pink and black, much like a Chilean Rose Hair sling, before gradually darkening into that rich adult coloration.
• Docile Temperament: Calm and easygoing, fitting right in with the rest of the beginner-friendly Grammostola genus.
• Long-Lived Companion: Females can live 20 to 30 years, a genuine multi-decade companion for keepers looking for something long term.
• Great Beginner Species: We have seen a consistently high success rate with keepers who start this genus as a spiderling, forgiving of the early mistakes every new keeper makes, which pairs naturally with this species' calm temperament.
• Rare in the Hobby: Rarely available, making this a great pickup for collectors who want something outside the usual Grammostola lineup.

How should Grammostola anthracina be kept?

• Adult Size: Hatches at around 0.5 to 0.75 inch and reaches about 6 inches at full leg span, a manageable size that still makes a strong terrestrial display animal.
• Enclosure: Provide roughly 3 to 4 times the leg span as footprint and 2 times the leg span as height, with substrate at least as deep as the leg span. Pick a size above for that tier's exact setup.
• Temperature: Keep between 65 to 75 degrees F.
• Humidity: Maintain a moisture gradient with a slightly damp lower layer and a drier surface, similar to a morning dew cycle in the wild. Good ventilation is critical.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish works well, something they can grip when climbing out.
• Diet: Crickets, roaches, and similar feeders sized to the carapace (head). Pick a size above for that tier's exact prey measurement.
• Temperament: Calm and easygoing, a great pick for beginners who want a docile, low-key display animal with a little extra rarity.

Which size should I choose?

• 0.75-1" Spiderling: your cheapest way to collect this species and watch the pink-to-black color change from the very start.
• 1-1.5" Juvenile: past the earliest spiderling stretch, with the adult coloration still gradually developing.
• 2.5" FEMALE Juvenile: a confirmed female with the deep, almost black adult coloration well underway.

Are there any additional notes or considerations for Grammostola anthracina?

• Captive Bred: All tarantulas at Exotics Unlimited are captive bred.

Frequently asked questions about Grammostola anthracina

• Is the Tawny Red the same as the Chilean Rose Hair? No. They are two different species. The comparison is about how similar the pink and black sling coloration looks at first, not a claim that the two species are the same.
• How big does the Tawny Red get? Adults reach about 6 inches in diagonal leg span, a manageable size for a Grammostola display animal.
• Is the Tawny Red a good beginner tarantula? Yes. It is calm and easygoing with straightforward care needs, one of the more approachable picks in the genus, with the bonus of being rarer in the hobby than some of its Grammostola cousins.

Looking for similar species?

• Browse our New World Tarantulas and Terrestrial Tarantulas collections to explore related care profiles and species groupings.